Over 150 false killer whales stranded on beach in Australia’s Tasmania

More than 150 false killer whales have stranded on a beach near Arthur River in Tasmania, Australia, with only 90 of the 157 animals still alive as rescue teams race against time, Al Jazeera reported. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reported that marine experts are on-site, assessing the situation after the whales have been beached for approximately 24 to 48 hours.

Brendon Clark from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service stated that re-floating the whales poses significant challenges due to ocean conditions and the remote location. Local resident Jocelyn Flint described the distressing scene, noting that some whales, including calves, were struggling in the surf.

This incident marks the first stranding of false killer whales in Tasmania since 1974. While the exact cause remains unclear, factors such as disorientation and illness are common in such events. Authorities emphasize that all whales are protected species, and it is illegal to interfere with carcasses.